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API Design and Fundamentals of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform

Google Cloud Training

4.7

Based on 2,377 ratings

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Google Cloud Training

In this course, you learn how to design APIs, and how to use OpenAPI specifications to document them. You learn about the API life cycle, and how the Apigee API platform helps you manage all aspects of the life cycle. You learn about how APIs can be designed using API proxies, and how APIs are packaged as API products to be used by app developers.

Through a combination of lectures, hands-on labs, and supplemental materials, you will learn how to design, build, secure, deploy, and manage API solutions using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. This is the first course of the Developing APIs with Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform series. After completing this course, enroll in the API Security on Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 0: Introduction

Welcome to API Design and Fundamentals! This is the first course in the Developing APIs with Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform series.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches API design and fundamentals, which is standard in industry

Explores OpenAPI specifications, which is a standard in industry

Provides a comprehensive foundation in designing, building, securing, deploying, and managing API solutions

Taught by Google Cloud Training, who are recognized for their work in cloud computing

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials, providing practical experience

Belongs to a series of courses, indicating comprehensiveness and detail

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Reviews summary

Api design and apigee fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a great starting point for understanding the fundamentals of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. Students found the explanation of core concepts like API proxies and API products to be clear and helpful. The included hands-on labs were particularly praised for their practical value in reinforcing the theoretical knowledge. While considered excellent for beginners, some students with prior API management experience felt the course remained at a foundational level. A few reviewers noted occasional technical glitches with the lab environment setups. Overall, the sentiment is largely positive, making it a solid introduction to Apigee.

Best suited for beginners or those new to Apigee.

"If you are completely new to Apigee, this course is perfect for getting started."

"Those with prior API management experience might find parts too basic and introductory."

"Provides a solid fundamental understanding, but don't expect deep dives into advanced topics or complex scenarios."

Hands-on exercises reinforce learning effectively.

"The labs were incredibly helpful for understanding how things work in practice."

"I appreciated the practical exercises after each module; they made the concepts stick."

"The hands-on activities solidified my understanding significantly. Best part of the course."

Provides a clear foundation in Apigee basics.

"This course is a great starting point for learning Apigee. ... I definitely recommend it for anyone starting out."

"It clearly explains the core concepts like API proxies and products, which is essential."

"I finally understand the basics of the Apigee platform after taking this course. Very helpful."

Some learners encountered technical difficulties.

"I had some trouble getting the lab environment set up correctly, which was frustrating at times."

"There were occasional glitches with the hands-on exercises, needing some troubleshooting."

"Just a heads-up, you might need to troubleshoot the lab setups a bit."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in API Design and Fundamentals of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform with these activities:

Organize your materials

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Organizing course materials can help you review what you've learned and prepare for upcoming coursework.

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Create folders for each module or topic
Save lecture slides, notes, and assignments
File assignments based on due dates

Explore the Apigee API Platform documentation

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Familiarizing yourself with the Apigee API Platform documentation will help you understand how to use the platform for API development and management.

Browse courses on Apigee API Platform

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Read the getting started guide
Explore the API reference documentation
Follow the tutorials on how to create and manage APIs
Search the documentation for specific topics that you need help with

Complete an online tutorial on API design

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Completing an online tutorial will provide you with hands-on experience in designing APIs and help you understand the concepts in more detail.

Browse courses on API Design

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Find an online tutorial that covers the basics of API design.
Follow the tutorial and complete the exercises.

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Design an API Proxy

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Practice designing API proxies to gain proficiency in creating and configuring APIs.

Browse courses on API Proxies

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Identify the purpose and requirements of the API proxy.
Choose the appropriate target server for the API proxy.
Configure the API proxy's settings, such as its routes, policies, and cache settings.
Test the API proxy to ensure that it is working as expected.

Discuss API design with a peer

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Discussing API design with a peer will help you solidify your understanding of the concepts and get feedback on your ideas.

Browse courses on API Design

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Find a peer who is also taking the course or who has experience in API design.
Discuss the concepts you have learned in the course and share your ideas for API designs.

Practice writing OpenAPI specifications

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Practicing by writing OpenAPI specifications will help you become more comfortable with API design and development.

Browse courses on OpenAPI

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Choose an existing API and practice writing an OpenAPI specification for it
Create an OpenAPI specification for a simple API of your own design
Compare your OpenAPI specifications to existing APIs to identify areas for improvement

Create an API Product

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Begin work on the development of an API product to implement concepts learned throughout this course and apply knowledge.

Browse courses on API Products

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Design the API product, including its purpose, target audience, and features.
Create an API proxy for the API product.
Configure the API product's settings, such as its name, description, and access control.
Deploy the API product and test it.

Start an API project

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Starting an API project will help you apply the concepts you learn in this course and build your skills in API development.

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Choose an API to build
Design the API using OpenAPI specifications
Implement the API using your preferred programming language and framework
Deploy the API to a cloud platform
Test the API and make sure it works as expected

Develop a practice test

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Creating a practice test will help you identify areas where you need more practice and reinforce the concepts you have learned.

Browse courses on API Development

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Review the course material and identify key concepts.
Write practice questions that cover a variety of topics.
Take the practice test and review your results.

Design an API for a specific use case

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Designing an API for a specific use case will allow you to apply the concepts you have learned in the course and create something that is useful and practical.

Browse courses on API Design

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Identify a specific use case for your API.
Design the API using the principles you have learned in the course.
Create a prototype of your API and test it out.

Create a blog post or article about API design

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Writing a blog post or article about API design will help you solidify your understanding of the topic and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on API Design

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Choose a topic that you are interested in and that you have knowledge about
Research the topic and gather information from reliable sources
Write a draft of your blog post or article
Edit and proofread your work
Publish your blog post or article online

Mentor other students learning about API design

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Mentoring other students can help you solidify your understanding of API design and development by explaining concepts to others.

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Find a student who is interested in learning about API design
Schedule regular meetings to discuss API design concepts
Provide feedback on the student's work
Encourage the student to ask questions and share their ideas

Contribute to an open-source API project

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Contributing to an open-source API project will allow you to collaborate with other developers and learn from their code.

Browse courses on API Development

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Find an open-source API project that you are interested in
Read the project documentation and contribute to the codebase
Discuss your changes with the project maintainers
Submit a pull request to contribute your changes

Career center

Learners who complete API Design and Fundamentals of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Architect

An accomplished Systems Architect would understand how to leverage Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform and apply knowledge of API design and fundamentals to contribute to building enterprise solutions that are secure, efficient and scalable. This course helps establish a foundation for designing APIs using API proxies, then packaging them as API products for effective deployment. Additionally, it covers the application of security policies, ensuring a deep understanding of the entire lifecycle of APIs, from design to management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Architect

Software Engineer, API

As an API Software Engineer, a background in modern API design principles and the ability to work with various API protocols is paramount. This course is designed to provide a thorough foundation in these areas. It covers the theoretical underpinnings of RESTful APIs, the OpenAPI specification, and the use of Google Cloud's Apigee API platform to effectively design, build, secure, deploy, and manage API solutions. Whether you're a seasoned API developer or just starting out, this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to excel in this rapidly growing field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer, API

API Developer

API Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining APIs. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles, using RESTful APIs and OpenAPI specifications. You will learn about API lifecycle management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform, gaining expertise in building secure and scalable APIs. The hands-on labs and supplemental materials will equip you with the practical skills to design, build, secure, deploy, and manage API solutions effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for API Developer

API Product Manager

API Product Managers are responsible for the overall success of API products, ensuring they meet the needs of users and businesses. This course provides a solid foundation in API design and management, covering the API lifecycle, API product strategies, and the use of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design and management, API Product Managers can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and drive the success of their API products.

See salaries and explore the career path for API Product Manager

Technical Program Manager

As a Technical Program Manager, understanding the technical aspects of API design and management is crucial for effective collaboration with engineering teams. This course provides a solid foundation in these areas, covering API lifecycle management, API product strategies, and the use of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. With this knowledge, Technical Program Managers can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring successful implementation and management of API solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Program Manager

Software Architect

Software Architects design and build complex software systems, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical constraints. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Software Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and development of robust and scalable software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and manage cloud computing solutions, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical constraints. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Cloud Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and management of cloud solutions that leverage APIs effectively.

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Solution Architect

Solution Architects design and implement technology solutions that meet business needs. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Solution Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and implementation of technology solutions that leverage APIs effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solution Architect

Data Architect

Data Architects design and manage data systems, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical constraints. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Data Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and management of data systems that leverage APIs effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical constraints. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Security Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and implementation of security solutions that leverage APIs effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Network Architect

Network Architects design and manage network infrastructure, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical constraints. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Network Architects can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and management of network infrastructure that leverages APIs effectively.

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IT Manager

IT Managers oversee the planning, implementation, and maintenance of an organization's IT systems. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, IT Managers can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the overall management of IT systems that leverage APIs effectively.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites, ensuring they meet user needs and business requirements. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Web Developers can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and development of websites that leverage APIs effectively.

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Mobile Developer

Mobile Developers design and develop mobile applications, ensuring they meet user needs and business requirements. This course provides foundational knowledge in API design principles and management using Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform. By understanding the technical aspects of API design, Mobile Developers can make informed decisions, collaborate effectively with engineering teams, and contribute to the design and development of mobile applications that leverage APIs effectively.

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UX Designer

UX Designers design the user experience of products and services, ensuring they are user-friendly and meet business requirements. This course may be useful for UX Designers who want to understand the technical aspects of API design and management, enabling them to collaborate more effectively with engineering teams and contribute to the design of products and services that leverage APIs effectively.

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Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in API Design and Fundamentals of Google Cloud's Apigee API Platform.